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In Good Faith: A Joe Dillard Novel
"Pratt's richly developed characters are vivid and believable, especially the strong Southern women who fight their male-dominated culture from behind a facade of vulnerability." -- Publisher's Weekly
A family of four is slaughtered in rural Tennessee.
Two weeks later, a retired high school principal and his wife are brutally slain.
Two Satan-worshipping teens stand accused.
It's up to prosecutor Joe Dillard to convict them. A former defense attorney who spent way too much time defending people he knew were guilty, Joe is determined to win this case to atone for his past. But an evil young woman named Natasha is responsible for the slayings and Joe knows it. Natasha is walking around free because the two boys who have been arrested are too terrified to implicate her. Now Joe must risk everything -- including his family's safety and his own life -- to bring an evil murderer to justice.***A portion of the profits from the sale of every Joe Dillard novel is donated to the Ballad Health Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. Unfortunately, cancer plays a big role in the legacies of both Scott Pratt and Joe Dillard. This is our way of making the best of it.
Praise from Amazon “Joe Dillard is a worthy, more down-to-earth alternative to the heroes of Child, Thor, Flynn et al.”
“If you like John Grisham or Lee Child (Jack Reacher series), you’ll like Scott Pratt’s Joe Dillard series.”
“Fabulous read. If you like John Grisham, James Patterson, Lee Child, John Sanford, etc. you will love Scott Pratt.”
“I had read all the Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller and Jack Reacher books at least twice and was looking for something along the same lines, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with Joe Dillard, who turned out to be everything one wanted, and more! I am on Book 3 now. If you like action, detective, lawyer-type novels, Joe Dillard is for you!”
“Joe Dillard is a kinder, gentler ‘could have been’ Jack Reacher!!!!!”
“Scott Pratt has created a character worthy of movies. Not since Jake Brigance has an attorney made such a great debut. Read this. It's fantastic.”
“As good as Grisham.”
“Dillard is a great character, on the order of Grisham's Jake Brigance. And who would have thunk that setting a novel in rural Tennessee would be as enthralling as it turned out to be.”
“I had read all the Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller and Jack Reacher books at least twice and was looking for something along the same lines, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with Joe Dillard, who turned out to be everything one wanted, and more! I am on Book 3 now. If you like action, detective, lawyer-type novels, Joe Dillard is for you!”
“I am very impressed with this author & with this book. I plan to buy the 2nd in the Dillard series today before I go in for surgery tomorrow. . I read all the great series... Harry Bosch, Lucas Davenport, Mickey Haller, Alan Gregory etc etc & I am a stern critic of bad writing. The plot was excellent. The story flowed without a flaw. The characters came alive & Erline was one of the most memorable people I ever met in fiction. I will definitely tell readers that they will not be disappointed & urge them to read this first novel & enjoy an excellent story."
“A quick read with a character who has his own problems but manages to overcome them.
A family of four is slaughtered in rural Tennessee.
Two weeks later, a retired high school principal and his wife are brutally slain.
Two Satan-worshipping teens stand accused.
It's up to prosecutor Joe Dillard to convict them. A former defense attorney who spent way too much time defending people he knew were guilty, Joe is determined to win this case to atone for his past. But an evil young woman named Natasha is responsible for the slayings and Joe knows it. Natasha is walking around free because the two boys who have been arrested are too terrified to implicate her. Now Joe must risk everything -- including his family's safety and his own life -- to bring an evil murderer to justice.***A portion of the profits from the sale of every Joe Dillard novel is donated to the Ballad Health Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. Unfortunately, cancer plays a big role in the legacies of both Scott Pratt and Joe Dillard. This is our way of making the best of it.
Praise from Amazon “Joe Dillard is a worthy, more down-to-earth alternative to the heroes of Child, Thor, Flynn et al.”
“If you like John Grisham or Lee Child (Jack Reacher series), you’ll like Scott Pratt’s Joe Dillard series.”
“Fabulous read. If you like John Grisham, James Patterson, Lee Child, John Sanford, etc. you will love Scott Pratt.”
“I had read all the Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller and Jack Reacher books at least twice and was looking for something along the same lines, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with Joe Dillard, who turned out to be everything one wanted, and more! I am on Book 3 now. If you like action, detective, lawyer-type novels, Joe Dillard is for you!”
“Joe Dillard is a kinder, gentler ‘could have been’ Jack Reacher!!!!!”
“Scott Pratt has created a character worthy of movies. Not since Jake Brigance has an attorney made such a great debut. Read this. It's fantastic.”
“As good as Grisham.”
“Dillard is a great character, on the order of Grisham's Jake Brigance. And who would have thunk that setting a novel in rural Tennessee would be as enthralling as it turned out to be.”
“I had read all the Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller and Jack Reacher books at least twice and was looking for something along the same lines, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with Joe Dillard, who turned out to be everything one wanted, and more! I am on Book 3 now. If you like action, detective, lawyer-type novels, Joe Dillard is for you!”
“I am very impressed with this author & with this book. I plan to buy the 2nd in the Dillard series today before I go in for surgery tomorrow. . I read all the great series... Harry Bosch, Lucas Davenport, Mickey Haller, Alan Gregory etc etc & I am a stern critic of bad writing. The plot was excellent. The story flowed without a flaw. The characters came alive & Erline was one of the most memorable people I ever met in fiction. I will definitely tell readers that they will not be disappointed & urge them to read this first novel & enjoy an excellent story."
“A quick read with a character who has his own problems but manages to overcome them.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2025
About the author
Scott Pratt
59 books1,591 followersScott Pratt is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Bestselling Author whose books have sold more than five million copies. He was born in South Haven, Michigan, and grew up in Jonesborough, Tennessee. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from East Tennessee State University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee. He lived in Johnson City, Tennessee until his tragic, untimely passing in November of 2018.
This page is maintained by his family. We're finishing up all of the projects he was working on when he passed away. If you'd like to stay up to date on that progress, or if you'd just like to say hello, you can visit us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19664...
This page is maintained by his family. We're finishing up all of the projects he was working on when he passed away. If you'd like to stay up to date on that progress, or if you'd just like to say hello, you can visit us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19664...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 2, 2026
I could not put the book down!
It has been months since I have read such a griping novel. Scott introduced several colorful characters and kept the pace up from the beginning. I am hooked on his fast paced style and intend to read his other Joe Dillard books
It has been months since I have read such a griping novel. Scott introduced several colorful characters and kept the pace up from the beginning. I am hooked on his fast paced style and intend to read his other Joe Dillard books
March 30, 2026
In Good Faith: A Joe Dillard Novel (Joe Dillard Series, Book 2)
I struggled to give this a third star. After the teaser chapters tacked onto the end of Joe Dillard 1: Innocent, I was inclined to continue with Scott Pratt, whom I consider an above‑average storyteller. Unfortunately, In Good Faith didn’t live up to that promise.
Joe—still a likable attorney—takes a year off after a lucrative case and abruptly decides to pursue his dream of becoming a prosecutor, so he no longer has to defend murderous scumbags. Conveniently, he lands a prosecutor’s job in his hometown almost overnight. Within hours of his first day on the job, a gruesome group of satanist young adults murders a family of four who happen to be newly converted Jehovah’s Witnesses. Before Joe has even moved into his office, he’s assigned the case. Ugh.
The novel is bogged down by extended subplots involving Joe’s sister’s legal drama and his wife’s medical issues, which feel like filler added to pad the page count. The body count continues to rise without much narrative payoff, and Joe once again shows a frustrating lack of discipline—going rogue in his rage toward suspects, which is especially hard to swallow now that he’s a prosecutor.
If not for my goodwill from the first book, I would have abandoned this one halfway through. I don’t see myself picking up book three. The formula is clear, and I’m done with it.
I struggled to give this a third star. After the teaser chapters tacked onto the end of Joe Dillard 1: Innocent, I was inclined to continue with Scott Pratt, whom I consider an above‑average storyteller. Unfortunately, In Good Faith didn’t live up to that promise.
Joe—still a likable attorney—takes a year off after a lucrative case and abruptly decides to pursue his dream of becoming a prosecutor, so he no longer has to defend murderous scumbags. Conveniently, he lands a prosecutor’s job in his hometown almost overnight. Within hours of his first day on the job, a gruesome group of satanist young adults murders a family of four who happen to be newly converted Jehovah’s Witnesses. Before Joe has even moved into his office, he’s assigned the case. Ugh.
The novel is bogged down by extended subplots involving Joe’s sister’s legal drama and his wife’s medical issues, which feel like filler added to pad the page count. The body count continues to rise without much narrative payoff, and Joe once again shows a frustrating lack of discipline—going rogue in his rage toward suspects, which is especially hard to swallow now that he’s a prosecutor.
If not for my goodwill from the first book, I would have abandoned this one halfway through. I don’t see myself picking up book three. The formula is clear, and I’m done with it.
April 15, 2026
I thought the author did a superb job creating an intense mood, and a creepy atmosphere in this excellent legal thriller. The characters were well crafted, and it felt real to me despite the satanic overtones. I enjoyed the conflicting emotions and thoughts of the protagonist prosecutor and former defense lawyer as he tried to navigate his personal feelings, and his ethical obligations.
My one minor fault that I found was the author pulled in too many collateral stories. The sister Sarah or the employer sexual pervert could have been omitted. Otherwise, a great read.
My one minor fault that I found was the author pulled in too many collateral stories. The sister Sarah or the employer sexual pervert could have been omitted. Otherwise, a great read.
February 3, 2026
I avidly read books in the legal thriller fiction genre; I have become a fan of Scott Pratt. after reading the first few novels in the attorney Joe Dillard series=> I am adding Pratt to the my list of favorite fictional legal series writers such as Teresa Burrell, Dennis Carstens, Tony Dunbar, Rebecca Forster. Marc Rainier, and Larry A. Winters.
February 4, 2026
Get ready to stay up late.....
I enjoyed reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. The main character was around my age and I could relate to him. It's well written and had great details and discriptions. Interesting occult and psychic activity. I recommend this book.
I enjoyed reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. The main character was around my age and I could relate to him. It's well written and had great details and discriptions. Interesting occult and psychic activity. I recommend this book.
December 22, 2025
Great Story
Well-written story with likeable characters. I read a lot of David Rose felt books. This author writes just as well. Interesting twists and turns. Will be reading book 3 soon.
Well-written story with likeable characters. I read a lot of David Rose felt books. This author writes just as well. Interesting twists and turns. Will be reading book 3 soon.
January 24, 2026
Book 1 made me get Book 2!
Love Scott Pratt’s descriptive narrative! His characters come to life. This story was a little off the beaten path of what I usually read but I enjoyed it and read through it quickly.
Love Scott Pratt’s descriptive narrative! His characters come to life. This story was a little off the beaten path of what I usually read but I enjoyed it and read through it quickly.
Read
February 23, 2026new author-
first time reading work by this author. Enjoyed. the book. strange things keep happening: to keep reader interested. Strongly recommend this book especially if you like law and order books
first time reading work by this author. Enjoyed. the book. strange things keep happening: to keep reader interested. Strongly recommend this book especially if you like law and order books
March 15, 2026
fairy tale for children
Supernatural twins. Curses. Satanic serial killers. Scatterbrained nonsense. The biggest pile of crap I have ever read. I’m done with Pratt. He’s not even in the 2nd tier of Courtroom Drama writers. He’s fallen to the bottom rung.
Supernatural twins. Curses. Satanic serial killers. Scatterbrained nonsense. The biggest pile of crap I have ever read. I’m done with Pratt. He’s not even in the 2nd tier of Courtroom Drama writers. He’s fallen to the bottom rung.
April 30, 2026
Exciting page-turner
Loved this installment, it kept me up late unable to put down. Kept me on the edge of my seat not sure what would happen next. Will definitely keep reading the rest of the series.
Loved this installment, it kept me up late unable to put down. Kept me on the edge of my seat not sure what would happen next. Will definitely keep reading the rest of the series.
December 22, 2025
Dnb1953
Loved loved this story and I really enjoyed seeing all the same characters and meeting new ones!! This story is so full of surprises and twist and turns! Reading number 3
Loved loved this story and I really enjoyed seeing all the same characters and meeting new ones!! This story is so full of surprises and twist and turns! Reading number 3
December 29, 2025
Second installment of the series...
Fast paced read. Needs a bit of suspension of disbelief on some elelements of the story, but the suspenseful tension is decent.
Fast paced read. Needs a bit of suspension of disbelief on some elelements of the story, but the suspenseful tension is decent.
January 15, 2026
A page turner!
Good plot. Very good story. Well told. A little rushed at the end. Anyone can read if they're trying to keep faith.
Good plot. Very good story. Well told. A little rushed at the end. Anyone can read if they're trying to keep faith.
January 18, 2026
FANTASTIC!!
I was hooked when I read ‘An Innocent Client’ . When I was done reading it, I found ‘In Good Faith’. Impressive writing! LOVE THEM BOTH 💕
I was hooked when I read ‘An Innocent Client’ . When I was done reading it, I found ‘In Good Faith’. Impressive writing! LOVE THEM BOTH 💕
January 29, 2026
A Riveting Crime Novel
If you love legal/courtroom dramas, this one will please you. Good characters, good plot and the usual twists and turns that come with a good legal novel.
If you love legal/courtroom dramas, this one will please you. Good characters, good plot and the usual twists and turns that come with a good legal novel.
February 2, 2026
new favorite author
Great stories, excellent courtroom drama. Good character development .All in all a very good read. Looking forward to more of his books.
Great stories, excellent courtroom drama. Good character development .All in all a very good read. Looking forward to more of his books.
March 12, 2026
In Good Faith
Great story. Lots of twists and turns. As many bad guys as good. Some of them were both in the story
Great story. Lots of twists and turns. As many bad guys as good. Some of them were both in the story
March 24, 2026
Good Faith Good Read
This is my second Joe Dillard case. Ready for number three. Sure it will result in more antics out of Joe
This is my second Joe Dillard case. Ready for number three. Sure it will result in more antics out of Joe
April 16, 2026
easy page turner
If you like legal dramas, this one’s for you. Relatable characters and real life breast cancer treatment and feelings. Great read
If you like legal dramas, this one’s for you. Relatable characters and real life breast cancer treatment and feelings. Great read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews